Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 507

This treatment was definitely better than Ji Yan’s at the Shuanghe Distillery.
But 50 million in sales over three months, averaging nearly 17 million a month, was no small number.

Ji Yan didn’t think Xu Xiuwen was deliberately making things difficult for her.
On the contrary, she felt that this was a test from Xu Xiuwen.

If she could accomplish it, Xu Xiuwen would have even greater recognition of her abilities, and the people at the factory would no longer doubt her competence.
Perhaps one day, she’d even have a chance to sit in the director’s chair.

Moreover, Ji Yan did have some connections and resources in Su Province. It wasn’t entirely hopeless.

As she calculated in her mind, she smiled and said, “Alright, President Xu, I won’t let you down.”

Xu Xiuwen put down the file, got up, and extended his hand to Ji Yan.
“Sister Yan, welcome to Guangming Distillery.”

After Ji Yan left Xu Xiuwen’s office, not long after, Xu Chengde returned to the factory.

Xu Chengde had gone out in the morning to attend a meeting, so he wasn’t present during the earlier factory meeting.

When he came back, he quickly learned what had transpired during the meeting. Without even going to his own office, he headed straight for Xu Xiuwen’s.

Since the office door was closed, no one knew what was being discussed inside, but occasional arguments could be heard by passing employees.

Soon, rumors spread throughout the factory about a discord between the boss and the factory director.

Some quick-witted managers started making trips to Ji Yan’s office that very day, eager to build rapport with her early on.

But those were matters for later.

After spending an entire day handling the affairs of Guangming Distillery, Xu Xiuwen hurried back to Jinling—not because there was pressing work at the company, but to spend time with Lu Xinyao.

Before, when Xu Xiuwen didn’t have children, he hadn’t felt this way.
Now that he suddenly knew he had a child, his heart had a lot of space occupied by the child.

And as the mother of his child, Lu Xinyao’s place in his heart had risen significantly.

Driving back to Jinling, Xu Xiuwen stopped directly below the company building and sat in his car to call Lu Xinyao.

After a couple of rings, the call was finally answered.

Lu Xinyao’s cold voice came through.
“What do you want?”

“Were you just sleeping? Why is your room light off? I’m downstairs. If you’re not asleep, come down for a bit.”

Lu Xinyao sighed.
“President Xu, can you give me some personal space? Don’t you think you’re acting out of character?”

“If you don’t come down, I’ll go up and knock on your door.”

Lu Xinyao was so annoyed she was practically grinding her teeth.
Was he letting her words go in one ear and out the other?
“Don’t knock on the door. I’m not at home.”

“Then where are you?”

“I’m out shopping with Xiaomi. We’re about to grab dinner.”

“Then I’ll come over.”

“Don’t come! How am I supposed to explain if you show up?”

“But I just want to see you.”

Lu Xinyao sounded annoyed, but for some reason, she felt a bit happy inside.

After a few seconds of silence, she said, “Just go back. I’ll have dinner with you tomorrow, alright?”

“Alright, it’s a deal then.”

“Mm. Xiaomi’s calling me. I have to go now.”

“Wait!”

“What now?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Then say it quickly.”

“Yao Yao… I went to the hospital today.”

“Huh? The hospital? Are you sick? Is it serious?”

Xu Xiuwen continued, “My leg has been hurting for a few days, so I went to the hospital this afternoon. The doctor said there’s something in my bone and took an X-ray.”

Lu Xinyao instantly became very anxious, afraid of hearing bad news.

“Turns out, it’s because I like you all the way to my bones.”

Lu Xinyao: “???”

“Xu Xiuwen, are you crazy? How can you joke about something like this? Do you think your lame jokes are funny?”

“Are you mad? I just wanted to cheer you up.”

“You’re so annoying!”

After angrily hanging up the phone, Lu Xinyao let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, he wasn’t actually sick.

The next second, she looked at her phone and suddenly chuckled.
“Like me all the way to his bones?”

Outwardly, she didn’t believe it one bit, but deep down, she seemed happy. She lowered her head, gently touched her belly, and her gaze turned even more confused.

Xu Xiuwen had rushed back to Jinling to spend time with Lu Xinyao.
But now, since she was out shopping with Song Xiaomi, she didn’t need his company, leaving him with nothing to do.

Just as he was about to head home, his phone rang again.
Thinking it was Lu Xinyao, he answered with, “Oh, missing me already?”

The line instantly went silent.

Xu Xiuwen waited for a response, but no one spoke. Thinking the call had dropped, he checked his screen, only to realize it was still connected. That’s when he noticed the number wasn’t Lu Xinyao’s but Aunt Gu’s.

At that moment, Aunt Gu’s voice finally came through.
“Xiao Xu, it’s me.”

“Oh, sorry, Aunt Gu. I got confused. Don’t misunderstand.”

“It’s okay,” she replied softly, followed by silence.

Xu Xiuwen immediately sensed something was wrong with Aunt Gu’s mood.
“Aunt Gu, is something the matter?”

Instead of answering, she quietly asked, “Xiao Xu, are you in Jinling? Can you come pick me up?”

“Huh? Aunt Gu, you’re in Jinling? Where are you now?”

“I’m at the train station exit.”

Though unsure why Aunt Gu had suddenly come to Jinling at night, Xu Xiuwen didn’t hesitate.
“Aunt Gu, stay right where you are. Don’t wander off. I’ll come get you now.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Xu Xiuwen immediately drove toward the train station.

On the way, he speculated about the reason for Aunt Gu’s sudden visit. After some thought, he figured it was likely related to Uncle Jiang.

He recalled the time he saw Uncle Jiang in Fei City, intimately hugging another woman. Letting out a sigh, he thought, If it’s really about Uncle Jiang, what am I supposed to do? Advise them to get a divorce?

If it really was about Uncle Jiang, Aunt Gu must be feeling heartbroken right now.

Worried about her, Xu Xiuwen sped up, practically flying down the road.

About ten minutes later, he arrived at Jinling Train Station.

The train station at night was far from quiet, bustling with travelers from all over.

When Xu Xiuwen finally found Aunt Gu…

She stood alone under the streetlight at the plaza by the train station exit, pulling a suitcase.

Her silhouette looked lonely, and the crowds passing by only accentuated her isolation.

Even though she was a mature woman in her thirties, her expression was full of worry, like a lost girl unable to find her way home—so helpless.

Xu Xiuwen froze for a moment.

The Aunt Gu he remembered had always been a kind, gentle, and composed woman, someone warm and dignified.

As a boy, Xu Xiuwen was often mischievous. Every time he got into trouble, Ning Wanqiu would unhesitatingly grab a stick to discipline him. Sometimes, Aunt Zhang would even assist, standing on the side, saying, “Kids won’t grow up right without a bit of punishment.”

But Aunt Zhang never had the heart to punish Xiao Youran.

Aunt Gu, however, was the opposite.

Whenever Xu Xiuwen made a mistake and Ning Wanqiu was about to punish him, Aunt Gu would always speak up for him.

And if Xu Xiuwen was too scared to go home after causing trouble, Aunt Gu would take him in, waiting until Ning Wanqiu had calmed down before personally bringing him back.

But the Aunt Gu standing before him now felt like a completely different person from the one he remembered.

He had never seen her with such an expression before.

He stood there, stunned, for quite a while.

Finally snapping out of it, he slowly walked toward her and softly called, “Aunt Gu.”

Hearing the familiar voice, the lonely and helpless Gu Pandi turned her head to see Xu Xiuwen walking toward her.

The loneliness in her heart was instantly relieved by more than half.

“Xiao Xu!”

The fact that Xu Xiuwen had come to pick her up without asking for an explanation touched her deeply.

Xu Xiuwen didn’t ask why Aunt Gu had come to Jinling so suddenly. Instead, he simply reached out to take her suitcase and smiled gently.
“Aunt Gu, let’s get in the car first.”

Gu Pandi had watched Xu Xiuwen grow up. She had always known him to be handsome and charming, but in her eyes, he was always just a boy.

But at this moment, his pure and warm smile brought a rare sense of comfort to her wounded heart. She couldn’t help but take another look at him.

When they arrived at his BMW, Xu Xiuwen chivalrously opened the passenger door for Aunt Gu. After she got in, he closed the door gently, then walked to the trunk to place her suitcase inside.

Once everything was settled, he circled around to the driver’s seat, got in, and started the car.

Skillfully navigating the crowded roads, he headed toward Jiangning Huayuan.

Gu Pandi stared at Xu Xiuwen as he focused on driving, her mind wandering.

Noticing her distraction, Xu Xiuwen didn’t disturb her and let her continue daydreaming.

Before long, they arrived at the apartment complex.

“Aunt Gu?”

“Hmm?” Gu Pandi snapped out of her daze and looked at Xu Xiuwen. “What is it?”

“Aunt Gu, we’re home.”

“Home?” Gu Pandi glanced outside the car window.

The surroundings were entirely unfamiliar to her.

But she quickly realized this must be Xu Xiuwen’s place.

Gu Pandi silently got out of the car.

Xu Xiuwen also stepped out, taking her suitcase and carrying it toward the building. After walking a few steps, he noticed Gu Pandi was still standing in place, not following him.

“Aunt Gu, come on up.”

Gu Pandi shook her head. “Xiao Xu, I shouldn’t be bothering you like this.”

“Aunt Gu, if you say things like that, I’m going to get mad. I’m here all by myself most of the time, and there’s no one to talk to. You coming here—do you know how happy that makes me?”

Hearing this, Gu Pandi’s expression shifted slightly as if she was deep in thought. Finally, as though she’d come to a decision, she lowered her head and followed him.

They took the elevator up to his apartment.

Xu Xiuwen pulled out his keys and unlocked the door.

Once it was open, he walked in quickly and grabbed a brand-new pair of women’s slippers from the cabinet, handing them to Gu Pandi.

“Thank you.”

Gu Pandi put on the slippers and stepped into the living room.

She quietly looked around the house.

The apartment was large, and the decor was incredibly luxurious and refined. It was clear that a lot of money had been spent on it.

It seemed Xu Xiuwen was doing very well for himself.

A flash of admiration appeared in Gu Pandi’s eyes.

Xu Xiuwen carried her suitcase into the living room, then went to the kitchen and poured a cup of hot tea.

When he returned to the living room, he handed it to her with a warm smile. “Aunt Gu, have some tea.”

Gu Pandi had just sat down on the sofa. She didn’t refuse, taking the cup with both hands and sipping the tea quietly.

Xu Xiuwen smiled and asked, “Aunt Gu, have you had dinner yet?”

Gu Pandi shook her head.

Xu Xiuwen had already guessed as much and felt a pang of sympathy. He said, “I haven’t eaten yet either. Aunt Gu, why don’t you sit here for a bit? I’ll make us some dinner, and we can eat together.”

“You haven’t eaten either? Then let me cook. Do you have ingredients here?” she asked, already trying to get up.

Xu Xiuwen quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, gently pressing her back down.

“Aunt Gu, you’ve cooked for me so many times growing up. It’s about time I let you try my cooking.”

The warmth in his words touched Gu Pandi’s heart.

Looking at his youthful face, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, What a thoughtful kid Xiao Xu is. Ning Wanqiu is so lucky.

Unaware of her thoughts, Xu Xiuwen noticed she didn’t respond and smiled. “Aunt Gu, you can watch some TV in the meantime. If you want to watch a movie, there are DVDs on the shelf—you can set it up yourself.”

With that, he turned on the TV and headed into the kitchen to start cooking.

Xu Xiuwen’s kitchen was well-stocked with ingredients—everything from freshly prepared chicken to frozen fish and shrimp.

Since it was just dinner for two, he decided to keep it simple with four dishes and a soup.

In no time, he’d finished two dishes, plating them neatly on elegant porcelain plates and setting them on the table. The rich aroma of the food wafted into the living room, catching Gu Pandi’s attention.

The TV program wasn’t particularly interesting, and the enticing smell made her restless.

Xu Xiuwen was frying fish when he glanced back, just in time to see Aunt Gu standing behind him.

Seeing that he had noticed her, Gu Pandi stepped forward and said, “Xiao Xu, your cooking skills are even more practiced than mine as a housewife.”

Xu Xiuwen chuckled. “Maybe it’s a natural talent. But there’s a lot of oil and smoke in the kitchen. Aunt Gu, why don’t you wait outside for a bit? It’ll be ready soon.”

As a homemaker who prepared three meals a day for her husband and daughter, Gu Pandi was long accustomed to the smell of oil and smoke.

However, hearing Xu Xiuwen’s gentle suggestion, she nodded and obediently closed the kitchen door before returning to the living room.

Before long, the final dish—a soup—was ready. The rice had also finished cooking.

Xu Xiuwen ladled the soup into a large bowl and carried it out of the kitchen. Just as he was about to call Aunt Gu to eat, he glanced toward the living room.

There she was, sitting alone on the sofa.

The TV was off.

Gu Pandi stared blankly ahead, her expression tinged with sadness.

It was a sight that tugged at his heart.

Xu Xiuwen had a good idea of what might be bothering her.

After a few moments, he smiled gently and said, “Aunt Gu, dinner is ready. Wash your hands and come to the table.”

The first time he spoke, she didn’t seem to hear him.

It wasn’t until he repeated himself that she responded, snapping out of her daze.

She muttered an absentminded “okay” and got up, but instead of heading toward the bathroom, she walked toward the balcony.

“Aunt Gu, the balcony’s that way,” Xu Xiuwen quickly pointed out with a light laugh. “The bathroom is over here.”

“Oh, sorry, Xiao Xu,” Gu Pandi said, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face as she turned around.

The gesture was casual, even habitual, but there was an understated elegance to it that carried a subtle charm.

When she returned to the dining area after washing her hands, Xu Xiuwen had already served two bowls of rice and was sitting at the table, waiting for her to join him.